[am produce]

Hello all
Im just wondering what peoples personal opinions will be im thinking of having shetland or ryelands there to be bred and raised for meat can anyone recommend a breed this will be my first time with sheep many thanks in advance
Abbie

[MarvinH]

I would advise on small breed for easy handling and ones you like the look of.

[bigchicken]

Shetlands for me every time easy sheep to look after thrifty, easy lambers, milky mothers and taste is fantastic.

[thenovice]

beware the primitive breeds, not always the easiest sheep to round up and handle 

[bigchicken]

Get them bucket trained and they will follow you like sheep. I just need to shout and my Shetlands come running and never had any more problems than any other type of sheep.

[Small Farmer]

Not sure there's any dispassionate advice to be given here! 

[bigchicken]

O well that's my personal opinion and that is what was asked for and whats wrong with being enthusiastic about my chosen bred.

[bangbang]

Shetlands for me every time easy sheep to look after thrifty, easy lambers, milky mothers and taste is fantastic.

I agree with bigchicken! shetlands all the way

[Bramblecot]

We have Shetland x Ryelands which usually produce twins in April, good meat in Dec. and lovely skin rugs back from the tannery in May.  They can be very skittish  compared with our other breed (GFD).  Just choose a breed you like - it makes all the hard work seem easier

[Small Farmer]

O well that's my personal opinion and that is what was asked for and whats wrong with being enthusiastic about my chosen bred.

Absolutely nothing!  All I'm saying is that it is possible that there are breeds with less glowing attributes than others.  Being British means no-one likes to be rude about someone else's choice of breed.

[am produce]

Thanks for all your advice Im looking at profits wise i will live them obviously but they will be to sell on my farmers stalls along with my berkshire pigs and jams etc etc i really have appreciated all your advice

[thenovice]

Some people find the primitive sheep meat a bit strong. For me hebridean is too gamey, but thats just my opinion. More meat on a commercial type carcase too 

[Sylvia]

Three of my Shetland ewes are very tame, the other one is always the fly in the ointment when it comes to penning them. The lambs are also becoming very friendly. Naughty Jessie didn't lamb this year so...........   Apart from her I love the Shetland breed, though maybe for a first timer in sheep (which you may well not be) I would always recommend a very friendly, calm breed (Rylands?) or bottle fed lambs of another breed.